What's Hot in Workers' Comp
What’s Hot in Workers’ Comp - News and Results*
What’s Hot in Workers’ Comp, Vol. 30, No. 9, September 2026
September 22, 2026
RESULTS
Perry Merlo (Harrisburg) obtained a favorable ruling involving a claimant who sustained a recognized lower back injury while employed by the defendant and continued to seek workers’ compensation benefits. Following an independent medical examination, Perry filed a termination petition alleging that the claimant had fully recovered from her work injury as of September 10, 2025. The claimant opposed the petition and presented testimony from her own medical expert. The judge granted the termination petition, finding the testimony of the defense medical expert more credible than the testimony of the claimant and her expert; and finding that the claimant had fully recovered from her work-related injury as of September 10, 2025.
Kacey C. Wiedt (Harrisburg) secured a complete victory involving a alleged hand laceration resulting additional shoulder and upper extremity injuries. The defense successfully demonstrated that the claimant did not sustain the additional injuries alleged, had fully recovered from the accepted injury, and was terminated for performance-related reasons unrelated to his work injury. Relying in part on text messages and photographs that contradicted the claimant’s alleged limitations, the defense secured a decision denying the claim petition in its entirety and granting the termination petition effective June 10, 2025. The claimant recovered no additional benefits despite previously making a $230,000 settlement demand.
Anthony Natale III (King of Prussia) secured a complete defense victory involving an alleged ongoing disability following a work-related cervical spine injury sustained in a truck accident. The defense successfully demonstrated that the claimant had been released to return to full-duty work, was subsequently discharged for cause after failing a mandatory drug test, and had fully recovered from his work injury. Following litigation of both the suspension and termination Petitions, the court found that the claimant was capable of returning to unrestricted employment and had fully recovered from his cervical spine injury.
Anthony Natale III (King of Prussia) secured a complete defense victory involving an allegation of ongoing orthopedic and neurological injuries, including post-concussion syndrome, resulting from a motor vehicle accident while volunteering for the township. The defense successfully demonstrated that the claimant had fully recovered from her work-related injuries and was exaggerating her symptoms. Finding the defense medical expert more credible, the court granted the termination petition and concluded that the claimant had fully recovered. The court also dismissed all four of the claimant’s review petitions challenging prior utilization review determinations that found her medical treatment to be unreasonable and unnecessary.
Anthony Natale III (King of Prussia) secured a complete defense victory involving a low back injury. The defense successfully demonstrated through medical evidence that the claimant had fully recovered from her work injury. Following litigation of the termination petition, the court found the defense expert credible and concluded that the claimant was fully recovered. The court granted the termination petition despite the claimant proceeding without counsel and arguing that personal circumstances prevented her from adequately defending the matter. As a result, the claimant’s entitlement to ongoing workers’ compensation benefits was terminated. .
*Prior Results Do Not Guarantee a Similar Outcome
NEWS
Congratulations to Kacey Wiedt on being named Best Lawyers in America® 2027 "Lawyer of the Year."
We are also proud to celebrate our firm’s 14 workers’ compensation attorneys who have been recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. This distinction is especially meaningful, as fewer than 6% of practicing attorneys in the United States earn recognition from their peers through the Best Lawyers selection process.
The Best Lawyers in America®
- Heather Byrer Carbone
- Daniel W. Deitrick
- Benjamin K. Durstein
- Linda Wagner Farrell
- Keri L. Morris-Johnston
- Anthony Natale III
- Michele R. Punturi
- Andrea C. Rock
- Robin M. Romano
- Robert P. Schenk
- Michael A. Sebastian
- Francis X. Wickersham
- A. Judd Woytek
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America
- Alana Staniszewski
Angela DeMary (Mount Laurel) is presenting at the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) Annual Conference on September 24. In a panel workshop session, "Old Instincts, New Tools: How AI is Actually Transforming Claims Handling," Angela will discuss existing and emerging AI techniques relevant to claims and legal defense, and explore how AI works alongside traditional methods to improve efficiency and outcomes. For more information, click here.
Judd Woytek (King of Prussia) is speaking at the National Comp conference in Las Vegas in September. He joins a group of panelists to present “Older, Wiser, But Costlier to Heal: What an Aging Workforce Means for Employers and for the Industry,” a discussion focused on the challenges employers face in balancing safety, compliance, and productivity as the workforce continues to age. Judd and his co-presenters will address proactive strategies to reduce workplace risk, support older employees, navigate age-discrimination and workers’ compensation issues, and build a safer, more resilient workforce. For more information, visit National Comp. Conference and Trade Show.
